Method and system of providing a virtual community for participation in a remote event

ABSTRACT

An approach is provided for establishing a virtual community for remotely participating in an event. A remote camera set is controlled by a user equipment to view an event from a plurality of viewing perspectives. A virtual community is built to share viewing of the event by multiple participants.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Public events, such as sports games, concerts, etc., are routinelytelevised. However, the viewers' experience is less than satisfying asattendance at these events involve an experience beyond simply a visualone. Other factors that contribute to the user experience at theseevents include interaction with other attendees and an ability tocontrol one's view of the events. Also, it is noted that attending agame is more than a visual experience, but is a social event in whichpeople spend time with friends and family members. A TV program cannotsimulate, for example, a stadium atmosphere, whereby attendees can enjoyinteracting with peers and hearing the roars of the crowd. Additionally,traditional television technology only allows a viewer to watch an eventfrom one perspective chosen by the program editors. Hence, the viewercan only passively follow what is provided from the broadcast source,and thereby is prevented from following a favorite player orentertainer. In short, traditional television viewing provides a onedimensional experience.

Moreover, unless the event is truly spectacular, certain potentialparticipants may be disinclined to attend them because of variousconsiderations. For example, traveling to the venue can be extremelyburdensome, as traffic is usually problematic, and thus, requiresleaving to the event well in advance of the start time. Also, if thevenue is of a significant distance, travel time and transportation costs(e.g., gas, maintenance, etc.) can present a serious barrier toattendance.

Television remains the prevalent global medium for entertainment andinformation. With the convergence of telecommunications and mediaservices, there is increased competition among service providers tooffer more services and features to consumers, and concomitantly developnew revenue sources. Traditional telecommunication companies areentering the arena of media services that have been within the exclusivedomain of cable (or satellite) television service providers. Littlefocus has been paid to enhancing user control of their viewingexperience.

Therefore, there is a need for providing features that enhance userexperience during broadcast of an event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and notby way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings inwhich like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a video system capable of providing a virtualcommunity for viewing an event, according with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process for purchasing a virtual seat to anevent, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an online ticket box office for purchasing avirtual seat to an event, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary architecture of the system of FIG.1, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for participating in a virtualcommunity to view an event, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary camera array used in the system ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a computer system that can be used to implementvarious exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An apparatus, method, and software for viewing an event as part of avirtual community are described. In the following description, for thepurposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the various exemplaryembodiments. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that thevarious exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specificdetails or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a video system capable of providing a virtualcommunity for viewing an event, according to an exemplary embodiment. Avideo system 100 includes a real-time service provider subsystem 101 forpermitting users via user equipment 103 to attend an event using anarray of camera sets 105. In this manner, a user can watch a game orshow through a dedicated, remotely controllable camera and microphone(which constitutes, in an exemplary embodiment, a camera set), whileinteracting with other virtual spectators through private communicationschannels. The system 100 thus provides a virtual community of users toexperience a common event.

An access subsystem 107 can employ various broadband access technologiesincluding digital subscriber line (DSL), FiOS (Fiber Optic Services),cable and WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), toconnect the user equipment 103 a-103 n to services of the real-timeservice provider subsystem 101. As shown, according to one embodiment,the user equipment 103 includes a control console 109, and a set-top box111 that outputs to a display 113. The display 113 and set-top box 111can support high resolution video streams, such as high definition TV(HDTV). The set top box 111 can encapsulate data into proper format withrequired credentials before transmitting onto the network 107 through alocal broadband router 102 a, and de-encapsulate the incoming traffic todispatch the data to the HDTV display 113, voice channel, or controlconsole 109, depending on the destination of the data. In an exemplaryembodiment, assuming the HDTV display 113 is Internet Protocol (IP)capable (i.e., the display includes an IP stack, or is otherwise networkaddressable), the function of the set top box 111 might be assumed bythe display 113. For example, an IP ready HDTV display 113 can directlyconnected to the broadband router, whereas a local network switch portis provided on the HDTV to route the IP traffic between the broadbandrouter and the control console 109. The control console can be either aseparate PC (Personal Computer) or integrated into the HDTV with akeyboard and mouse. Although the control console 109, the set-top box111, and the display 113 are shown as separate components, it iscontemplated that these components can be integrated in variouscombinations.

In one embodiment, the real-time service provider subsystem 101 utilizesan authentication module 115 to perform authentication services of theparticipant. A video streaming module 117 is used to acquire video feedsfrom the camera set array 105 and to transmit the feeds over the accesssubsystem 109 to the particular user equipment. The system 100 supportsend-to-end data encryption with the video streaming services (whenenabled) so that only legitimate users are able to view the content.

A virtual community module 119 is included in the subsystem 101 toprovide user functions for community building, such as communicationestablishment among the participants and sharing and/or exchanging ofviews. The real-time service provider subsystem 101 also has a controlmodule 121 to act as a proxy for a user to remotely control a camera set105.

The control console 109, in an exemplary embodiment, includes an inputdevice, such as a keyboard and/or a mouse, to establish credentials withthe authentication module 115, to communicate with the virtual communitymodule 119 to start or join a virtual community, and to establishconnectivity with other users. The control console 109 can also employ ajoy stick (or the mouse or keyboard), to control the remote camera set105.

A ticket box office 123 permits users to purchase tickets for an event,thereby reserving a virtual seat at the arena. This entails assignmentof a camera set 105 within the array deployed at the arena. Suchcapability provides greater flexibility in viewing choices, in thatcertain events are not broadcasted. For example, local sports games areroutinely “blacked out.” Also, during an Olympic game, for instance,unpopular events may receive little or no coverage.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a process for purchasing a virtual seat to anevent, according to an exemplary embodiment. In this example, a userlogs on using, for example, the control console 109 (per step 201) toaccess the ticket box office 123. Alternatively, the user can select anappropriate menu supplied by the set-top box 111, which may beweb-enabled. The console 109 accesses the ticket box office 123 topurchase a ticket, thereby obtaining a virtual seat to the event (step203). The purchase can be conducted by a credit card transaction. Theinformation required for a successful purchase transaction includes theinformation of user's credit card and the credentials of the userequipment 103. The information can be provided during the purchase orthrough a pre-registered user account with the ticket box office 123.The user equipment's credential typically includes the IP address or theIP address of an associated proxy server (not shown), and a digitalcertificate. The user wants to purchase a ticket for one virtual seatfor a coming Friday's game in France, for instance. The ticket boxoffice 123 maps the purchase to a camera set 105 a as shown in FIG. 6,effectively reserving the camera set 105 a for the purchaser (step 205).The ticket agent then sends the reserved camera set ID to authenticationmodule 115 through a secure channel (step 207). Upon validating theagent's request, the authentication module 115 issues a set of digitalcertifications for the corresponding camera set 105, and sends thecertificates back to the agent (step 209). The agent digitally signs thecertificates and delivers them to the user in a form of ticket (step211). The ticket can be delivered to the user at the end of thepurchase, or can be deposited into a secured website for user toretrieve later at the game time (step 213). The ticket ensures one nightrental of a specific camera 105 for the coming Friday game. The eventmay be among multiple events, as next explained with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an online ticket box office for purchasing avirtual seat to an event, according to an exemplary embodiment. Theonline ticket box office 123 can present to a user an event list 301.The list 301 can be displayed using a browser or any other graphicaluser interface (GUI) resident on the control console 109. As seen,multiple events 303 a-303 n are enumerated and can be categorized byvarious parameters, such as date, venue, artists, sports team, etc.Additionally, each of the events (e.g., event 303 a) includes virtualseats 305 a-305 n. These virtual seats 305 a-305 n map to camera sets105 a-105 n.

With the ticket box office 123, a user (or customer) can book a virtualseat with which the user can remotely participate in a sports event(e.g., basketball game). In addition, the events can include such publicaffairs or news worthy events, as a presidential inauguration ceremony,an Olympic Games, a New Year celebration in Time Square, musicperformances in Vienna, etc.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary architecture of the system of FIG.1, according to an exemplary embodiment. Under this scenario, anauthentication server 401, stream server 403 and a community server 405,along with a control proxy 407, constitute a real-time service providersubsystem. The components communicate using an unshared secure network409. The authentication server 401 is a security device (or entity) thatauthenticates a user, authorizes services to the user, and maintains theauthentication until the end of the prescribed period of time. Theauthentication server 401 can be, for example, a Kerberos based keyissuing server, or can be a proprietary protocol based system; however,it is contemplated that other network authentication protocols can beutilized. Once a user is authenticated, connections from user equipment411 to other servers are established directly, without involvementdirectly from the authentication server 401. The authentication server401 can also grant a user the right to switch from one camera set 105 ato another by revoking the existing digital certificates associated withthe ticket, and issuing a new set of digitals certificates that ismapped to another camera set 105 b. The user's set-top box 111 can thenstart a new session from the new camera set 105 b, whereas the previoussession is automatically closed because of the revocation of the “old”or prior certificates associated with the old ticket.

Video and audio data flow generated from the camera set 105 is firstforwarded to the video stream server 403 for further processing. Thevideo stream server 403 performs the video stream coding/decoding(codec), compression and encryption (if required) before the data streamis passed onto the network 409. The server 403 also provides video framemixing if more than two video channels are subscribed at the same timeby a user, wherein one channel is a private channel while the othercould be a public TV feed (or channel) 413. The video and audio data arethereafter delivered from the stream server 403 to the user equipment411.

Another service that is provided by the stream server 403 involvesadding a “virtual grid” over the camera view if demanded by thecustomer. A virtual grid is the visualization of a coordination systemthat is mapped to the geological area of the event. The values of thecoordinates are dependent only on the geological location, and areindependent of the viewing perspective from the users. For example, oneembodiment of a virtual grid is the GPS coordinates projected as a lightcolored mesh over the viewing field. Each physical spot can be uniquelyidentified within a section of the virtual grid, regardless of differentviewing angles from different camera sets. With the virtual grid, thecustomer can identify the location of an event in the view with theirvirtual community. The use of the virtual grid can thus providedifferent users a common reference when the subject of interest isviewed from individual angles.

The community server 405 maintains, for example, a username, customerCPE (customer premises equipment) IP addresses, and the credentialsissued by the authentication server 401. After the user equipment 411initiates establishment of a connection with the community server 405, avirtual community list is sent to the user who can pick from the list tojoin the community. A new community can be established when a usercreates a new entry into the community list.

The control signal proxy 407 serves as a protocol gateway, which takesthe customer's control signal to the camera, potentially converting thesignals to the protocol that the camera is compatible with, and passesthe converted signals to the camera 415. Also, the control signal proxy407 takes a camera's feed back and passes the feed onto the customer'scontrol console, which provides a “dashboard” to display the status ofthe camera set (e.g., 105 a . . . 105 n), such as the angles of thecamera's lens, the aperture of the zoom and microphone volume.

In this example, a customer shared network 417 serves as an accessnetwork, which can be a wired (e.g., FiOS, DSL, cable, etc.) or awireless system. The customer shared network 417, in an exemplaryembodiment, supports broadband services with QoS (Quality of Service)mechanisms to ensure adequate video and audio quality. The accessnetwork 417 can supply high speed down stream links, e.g., 6 Mbps ormore. The bandwidth requirement for the access network 417 is not onlydetermined by the video stream from the stream server 403, but also thetraffic stemming from the capability to control the cameras 415 as wellas communication exchange within the virtual community. Such virtualcommunity traffic, for example, includes multi-channel phoneconversations and video/graphic exchange among the virtual neighbors.During view of the event, the user can choose to listen to acommentator, or open a small window on the display to watch the publicTV feed 413. Under this arrangement, the user can follow the subject ofinterests instead of passively following a broadcast TV program. Thesystem allows a user to participate a game that is occurring thousandsmiles away, and shares the game with their virtual community that canspread over the entire globe.

The access network 417 can provide secure communication for the virtualcommunity members. A dynamical routing protocol can assist with quicklybuilding and updating a full mesh network for the virtual community. Inone embodiment, the access network 417 also provides connection betweencustomers and an online ticket box office 419, which can support a webinterface 421 (e.g., web server) for purchase of virtual seats by theusers. There are conceivably multiple types of infrastructures throughwhich virtual community members can communicate. For example, a virtualcommunity can communicate through a virtual community hub 431 thatreceives and executes computer instructions from the community server405. This is a more scalable infrastructure for a large virtualcommunity, with shortcomings such as the requirement for additionalcentral processing equipment (the virtual community hub 431) and addedlatency due to process delays in within the virtual community hub 431.Another way a virtual community can communicate is through a dynamicallyfull-mess virtual private network (VPN) in the customer shared network417. This infrastructure requires no additional equipment without addedlatency, but may be limited to smaller establishment of virtualcommunities, and may require that the VPN be capable of dynamical fullmeshing either through Layer 2 switching or Layer 3 routing. Theselayers refer to the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model, accordingto one embodiment. In yet another infrastructure through which virtualcommunity members can communicate can involve the combination of theabove two architectures for a mixture of large and small virtualcommunities.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process for participating in a virtualcommunity to view an event, according to an exemplary embodiment.Continuing with the example of FIG. 3, the user knows of another user,who would enjoy attending the Friday night game as well. This other usercan be at a different geographical location—e.g., Canada. The other userundergoes a similar process (of FIG. 3) to purchase a ticket for theFriday event. These users can communicate with each to exchange theirvirtual community identifiers (e.g., nicknames) so that they may “find”each other during the event.

On the date and time of the event, the user establishes a connection tothe authentication module 115 using either console control 109, as instep 501. In step 503, the user inputs the ticket information and othercredential information to the real-time service provider subsystem 101.The control console 109 in conjunction with the set-top box 111 caninitiate sessions with the video streaming module 117, the controlmodule 407, and the virtual community module 119, with the session keysissued from the authentication module 115. In an exemplary embodiment,the authentication module 115 can effect a Kerberos ticketing system.

In one embodiment, a user can establish a connection to the videostreaming module 117 and a connection to the community module 121 as twoindependent processes. In step 505, the video streaming module 117 canbegin transmission of the video stream from the assigned camera set 105to display 113 of the user. In step 507 in parallel to step 505, thecommunity server 405 starts to solicit community builders. The user thusestablishes a community by adding a new entry into the community listadvertised by the community server, and requests the other user inCanada to join. Alternatively, a user can initiate a request to beadmitted into an established community and subsequently the request iseither accepted or denied by the owner or by majority votes.

At this point, the user can remotely control the camera set 105 a tofreely view the game, as in step 509. After the other user joins thevirtual community successfully, the new community member can choose toshare views and other information on the display with the entirecommunity or with a selected subset of community members through a fullmess VPN or a virtual community hub 431, depending on the infrastructureused to build the communities. The underlying infrastructure may betransparent to the users. During the event, the users can watch the gamewith their own “eyes,” per their respective cameras 105. Also, theCanadian can opt to listen, per step 511, to a local commentator inFrench, while the first user listens through the microphone. Theydiscuss the game with their common language, English, while periodicallysharing their views (or images) in real-time through their virtualcommunity link (step 513). In other words, one user can coordinate withother users in real-time, while watching the same subject from differentperspective or the same perspective if they elect to do so.

At the end of the game, the authentication module 115 announces to allconnected user equipment 103 that the game is over, and issues a digitalcertification revocation order, thereby notifying the user (step 515).Per step 517, all communications associated with the event from thestream server 403 are disconnected, and communities established throughcommunity server 405 are dissolved (step 519). The termination of thestream service and termination of the virtual community are executedindependently.

The above process permit users the capability to enjoy events in theirown premises (e.g., living rooms or in a private club), without thedrawbacks of traffic, travel costs, and delays. The system 100 allows amuch larger community to participate in game, show or other activities;this traditionally has not been possible because of various reasons,such as geographical distance or capacity limitation. Additionally, thevideo system 100 has been described in the context of entertainment, itis noted that the approach has applicability to other applications. Forexample, an oil field has many remote sites in deserted regions, whichare not suitable for long term habitation. These sites can be monitoredby multiple divisions for different purposes. One division is for themaintenance of pipeline, and another for well maintenance. Further, thevideo system 100 can be deployed as a managed service for suchapplications.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary camera array used in the system ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment. By way of example, thecamera set 105 a includes a camera controller 601 to interface with thecontrol module 121 through a network array controller 621, therebypermitting the users to control the camera set 105 a. The networkedarray controller 621 controls the movement of a plurality of camera setsin the camera array. The networked array controller 621 communicateswith the control module 121 through a private connection 623 to receivecontrol signals from the users, and passes camera status back to theusers. A motorized gear 603 physically steers the camera in response touser control signals. A zoom mechanism 605 allows the camera to coverthe entire view of the court, and to close up with reasonable resolutionto an object of interest. The camera set 105 a can be equipped with amicrophone 607 to capture audible sounds accompanying the event. Themicrophone 607, in an exemplary embodiment, is a telescopic microphonefor directing the source of the audio. As mentioned, the user can chooseto listen to other publicly shared audio signals, such as a TV broadcastcommentator.

The camera set 105 a, in an exemplary embodiment, may have additionalvideo and audio signal processing elements (not shown) and the outputsare sent to the stream module 117, while incoming control signals fromthe user are processed through the control module 121 before transmittedto individual camera sets through networked array controller 621. Theusers do not have direct access to the camera set 105; this provides anadded security measure. This arrangement can provide interoperability ofremote control protocols, in addition to simplify construction of thecamera sets 105 a-105 n. For example, the camera sets 105 a-105 n can beconstructed using off-the-shelf CCTV (closed circuit TV) components,which may use a proprietary control protocol to be converted to thecontrol protocol, through the control module 121, for compatibility withthat of the user's control console. The control signals to and from theuser can be encoded as encrypted data flow for security and privacy.

In an exemplary embodiment, the camera set 105 can be mounted in amanner that provides reasonable freedom to move the camera lens to adirection without interfering with other neighboring cameras or actualspectators. Also, the space requirement for installation of the cameraarray can be minimal, as the set 105 need not have to be on the ground.Consequently, more people can effectively to “go to a game.”

The above described processes relating to viewing of an event as avirtual community may be implemented via software, hardware (e.g.,general processor, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chip, an ApplicationSpecific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), etc.), firmware or a combination thereof. Such exemplaryhardware for performing the described functions is detailed below.

FIG. 7 illustrates a computing system deployed as the set-top box 111,according to an exemplary embodiment. The set-top box 111 includes a bus701 or other communication mechanism for communicating information and aprocessor 703 coupled to the bus 701 for processing information. Theset-top box 111 also includes main memory 705, such as a random accessmemory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus 701 forstoring information and instructions to be executed by the processor703. Main memory 705 can also be used for storing temporary variables orother intermediate information during execution of instructions by theprocessor 703. The set-top box 111 may further include a read onlymemory (ROM) 707 or other static storage device coupled to the bus 701for storing static information and instructions for the processor 703. Astorage device 709, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is coupledto the bus 701 for persistently storing information and instructions.

The set-top box 111 may be coupled via the bus 701 to a display 711,such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display, active matrixdisplay, plasma display or a High Definition Television (HDTV), fordisplaying information to a user. An input device 713, such as akeyboard including alphanumeric and other keys, or a touch screen, iscoupled to the bus 701 for communicating information and commandselections to the processor 703. Another type of user input device is acursor control 715, such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor directionkeys, for communicating direction information and command selections tothe processor 703 and for controlling cursor movement on the display711.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the processes describedherein are performed by the set-top box 11, in response to the processor703 executing an arrangement of instructions contained in main memory705. Such instructions can be read into main memory 705 from anothercomputer-readable medium, such as the storage device 709. Execution ofthe arrangement of instructions contained in main memory 705 causes theprocessor 703 to perform the process steps described herein. Encrypteddata can be processed by an encryption module 704, which can beimplemented with an ASIC or an FPGA [0039] In this multi-processingarrangement, both processor 703 and encryption module 704 are employedto execute the instructions contained in main memory 705. In alternativeembodiments, other hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement the exemplaryembodiment. Thus, exemplary embodiments are not limited to any specificcombination of hardware circuitry and software.

The set-top box 111 also includes a communication interface 717 coupledto bus 701. The communication interface 717 provides a two-way datacommunication coupling to a network link 719 connected to a localnetwork 721. For example, the communication interface 717 may be anEthernet™ card to provide a data communication connection to the localnetwork (LAN) 721. Wireless links such as, for example, IEEE (Instituteof Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11G with 54 Mbps (Megabitper second) peak data rate can also be deployed as the local networkinterface. In any such implementation, communication interface 717 sendsand receives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carrydigital data streams representing various types of information. Further,the communication interface 717 can include peripheral interfacedevices, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, a PCMCIA(Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) interface,etc. Although a single communication interface 717 is depicted in FIG.7, multiple communication interfaces can also be employed.

The network link 719 typically provides data communication through oneor more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link719 may provide a connection through LAN 721 to a host computer 723,which is used by the user as the control console. The LAN hasconnectivity to a network 725 (e.g. a wide area network (WAN) or theglobal packet data communication network now commonly referred to as the“Internet”) or to data equipment operated by a service provider, througha high speed link 727 terminated at the broadband router 102. The highspeed interface on the broadband router 102 may be a high speed digitalsubscriber line (DSL) card, a cable modem, an optical fiber modem, orany other high speed communication interface to provide a datacommunication connection to a corresponding type of communication line.The local network 721, broadband router 102 and the network 725 all useelectrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals to convey informationand instructions. The signals through the various networks and thesignals on the network link 719 and through the communication interface717 are exemplary forms of carrier waves bearing the information andinstructions. In this particular example, stream data flow is directlysent from the communication interface 717 to a stream processor 708. Thestream processor 708 performs various signal transforming andconditioning functions such as de-compression and codec to format thestream signals into the electrical signals for the display 711. Thestream processor 708 has a dedicated connection directly to the display711. Processed signals by stream processor 708 are directly passed on tothe display 711 without delays that is inherently unavoidable through abus system. Connection from the display 711 to the bus 701 in thisscenario is primarily used for passing control signals and displayingerror messages generated within the set-top box 111.

The set-top box 111 can send and receive data, including program code,through the network(s), the network link 719, and the communicationinterface 717. In this example, a server (not shown) might transmitrequested code belonging to an application program for implementing anexemplary embodiment through the network 725, the broadband router 102,the local network 721 and the communication interface 717. The processor703 may execute the transmitted code while being received and/or storethe code in the storage device 709, or other non-volatile storage forlater execution. In this manner, the set-top box 111 may obtainapplication code in the form of a carrier wave.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to the processor 703 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, suchas the storage device 709. Volatile media include dynamic memory, suchas main memory 705. Transmission media include coaxial cables, twistedcopper wires and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus701. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic, optical, orelectromagnetic waves, such as those generated during radio frequency(RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms ofcomputer-readable media include, for example, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, aCDRW, a DVD, a RAM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, acarrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in providinginstructions to a processor for execution. For example, the instructionsfor carrying out at least part of the various exemplary embodiments mayinitially be borne on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. In such asscenario, the remote computer sends the instructions over the network725 to the broadband router 102 through an optical fiber cable (727).The broadband router 102 receives the data and formats the data intoIEEE 802.11G packets, which are then modulated and amplified beforebeing transmitted to an RF antenna (not shown). The wireless signals arecarried by the carrier waves across a free space and are received by thewireless LAN switch 721. The LAN switch 721 processes the wirelesssignals and encapsulates the data into Ethernet™ packets which are thentransmitted through the LAN connection 719 to the communicationinterface 717. The communication interface 717 processes the Ethernet™packets to retrieve the instructions borne in the Ethernet™ packets andplaces the data on the bus 701. The bus conveys the data to main memory,from which a processor retrieves and executes the instructions. Theinstructions received by main memory can optionally be stored on storagedevice either before or after execution by processor.

In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have beendescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however,be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto,and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing fromthe broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that flow.The specification and the drawings are accordingly to be regarded in anillustrative rather than restrictive sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: accessing a ticket boxoffice to purchase a ticket for a virtual seat at an event by providinginformation including financial information and credential informationto the ticket box office, wherein a camera set is reserved by mappingthe purchased ticket to the camera set and a ticket is generated at theticket box office by signing a digital certification for the reservedcamera set issued by and transmitted from an authenticating agent, whichreceives an identification of the reserved camera set via a securechannel; receiving the ticket by a user, wherein the ticket is used togain access to a secure website hosting one or more of a plurality ofevents; selecting the event from the plurality of events, wherein theselected event is mapped to the camera set, the camera set comprising aremote camera and a microphone; viewing the event from a plurality ofviewing perspectives by controlling the remote camera; providing audioinput, via the microphone, associated with the viewing of the event; andsharing the viewing of the event by participating in a virtualcommunity, wherein members of the virtual community commonly experiencethe event via the remote camera and audio input, the members of thevirtual community interacting with each other regarding the eventthrough communication channels, wherein the communication channelscomprise multi-channel phone conversations.
 2. A method according toclaim 1, further comprising: obtaining a new ticket for the event byrevoking the digital certification, wherein the new ticket maps toanother remote camera.
 3. A method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: establishing the virtual community by requesting, over abroadband data network, another user to join the user in viewing theevent.
 4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising:establishing a communication session over the data network with theother user during the event.
 5. A method according to claim 1, whereinthe remote camera is configured to generate a video feed of the event,the method further comprising: receiving the video feed at a set-topbox.
 6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising: selecting theaudio input among a plurality of audio inputs including a feed from amicrophone coupled to the camera.
 7. A method according to claim 1,wherein the remote camera is among a plurality of cameras installedwithin an arena hosting the event.
 8. A method according to claim 7,wherein the remote camera is controlled indirectly.
 9. A methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: establishing common referenceto a geological location by projecting a virtual grid over a view field,the virtual grid being independent of the viewing perspectives.
 10. Anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to storeinstructions to execute the method of claim
 1. 11. An apparatuscomprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory includingcomputer program code for one or more programs, the at least one memoryand the computer program code configured to, with the at least oneprocessor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: accessa ticket box office to purchase a ticket for a virtual seat at an eventby providing information including financial information and credentialinformation to the ticket box office, wherein a camera set is reservedby mapping the purchased ticket to the camera set and a ticket isgenerated at the ticket box office by signing a digital certificationfor the reserved camera set issued by and transmitted from anauthenticating agent, which receives an identification of the reservedcamera set via a secure channel; receive the ticket, wherein the ticketis used to gain access to a secure website hosting one or more of aplurality of events; select the event from the plurality of events,wherein the event selected is mapped to the camera set, the camera setcomprising a remote camera and a microphone; view the event from aplurality of viewing perspectives by controlling the remote camera;provide audio input, via the microphone, associated with the viewing ofthe event; and share the viewing of the event by participating in avirtual community, wherein members of the virtual community commonlyexperience the event via the remote camera and audio input, the membersof the virtual community interacting with each other regarding the eventthrough communication channels, wherein the communication channelscomprise multi-channel phone conversations.
 12. The apparatus accordingto claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to obtain a newticket for the event by revoking the digital certification, wherein thenew ticket maps to another remote camera.
 13. The apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused to establish thevirtual community by requesting, over a broadband data network, anotheruser to join the user in viewing the event.
 14. The apparatus accordingto claim 13, wherein the apparatus is further caused to establish acommunication session over the data network with the other user duringthe event.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the remotecamera is configured to generate a video feed of the event, and theapparatus is further caused to receive the video feed at a set-top box.16. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the apparatus isfurther caused to select the audio input among a plurality of audioinputs including a feed from a microphone coupled to the camera.
 17. Theapparatus according to claim 11, wherein the remote camera is among aplurality of cameras installed within an arena hosting the event. 18.The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the apparatus is furthercaused to indirectly control the remote camera.
 19. The apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein the apparatus is further caused toestablish common reference to a geological location by projecting avirtual grid over a view field, the virtual grid being independent ofthe viewing perspectives.
 20. A method comprising: accessing a ticketbox office by a user from a control console at a user station topurchase a ticket for a virtual seat at an event by providinginformation including financial information and credential informationto the ticket box office, wherein a camera set is reserved by mappingthe purchased ticket to the camera set and a ticket is generated at theticket box office by signing a digital certification for the reservedcamera set issued by and transmitted from an authenticating agent, whichreceives an identification of the reserved camera set via a securechannel; receiving the ticket from the ticket box office by the user,wherein the ticket is used to gain access to a secure website hosting aplurality of events; selecting the event from the plurality of events,wherein the selected event is mapped to the camera set, the camera setcomprising a remote camera and a microphone; viewing the event from aplurality of viewing perspectives by controlling the remote camera;providing audio input, via the microphone, associated with the viewingof the event; and sharing the viewing of the event by participating in avirtual community, wherein members of the virtual community commonlyexperience the event via the remote camera and audio input, the membersof the virtual community interacting with each other regarding the eventthrough communication channels, wherein the communication channelscomprise multi-channel phone conversations.